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Media Releases My electorate office distributes information which is important to the Southport electorate in particular, and the Gold Coast in general. This information goes to the print and electronic media, however due to space or time constraints it doesn’t always get printed or broadcast. Through my website however, you can access all news stories which emanate from my office and thus keep up-to-date with State Government issues relating to Southport.
$5M Rebate starts today to help home gardeners |
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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Dec 19 2006 |
| Media Releases >> |
Queenslanders can cash in on a new $5 million rebate scheme that will encourage more home gardeners to buy water efficient plants and garden products, Premier Peter Beattie announced today.
Mr Beattie said along with delivering on another election promise, the new Home Garden WaterWise Scheme will reward Queenslanders for changing their gardening habits and provide a much-needed boost for the nursery and gardening industry.
"This new $50 rebate is the latest under the Government's successful WaterWise program and will help more than 100,000 Queenslanders save more water and money," Mr Beattie said.
"At the same time they will be investing in the environment by providing habitats for local birds and wildlife and they will be supporting a local industry," he said.
Mr Beattie said the Government is investing in a range of initiatives to drought-proof Queensland, from the short-term to building infrastructure that will secure the State's long-term water supply.
"The new rebate is an added bonus to get more Queenslanders growing less thirsty native and drought-resistant plants, and using water-efficient products such as mulches and soil-wetting agents on their gardens."
The Queensland Government will provide the one-off 50% rebate on the cost of approved plants and garden products, up to a $50 maximum.
For example, people buying $40 of approved garden products will receive a $20 rebate.
To get the full $50 rebate, they must spend $100 or more. Rebates will be available on approved purchases from today (December 18, 2006) until December 2008, or until the funding runs out.
Plants and products to qualify for the rebate include:
• native and drought resistant plants that last for more than one year (excludes annuals, seeds, vegetables, fruit trees, edible herbs and turf);
• soils - for use in top dressing gardens;
• organic and inorganic mulches (examples include bark chips, sugar cane, small pebbles between 2mm-20mm in size);
• kits or devices specifically designed for generating compost (examples include compost bins and worm farms);
• water crystals and soil wetting agents that increase the water retention of soils.
Only one rebate claim per household is permitted. To help people select eligible products, it is recommended householders seek the
advice of nursery or garden retail outlets to identify the best plants for local conditions.
Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said the Queensland Government's WaterWise schemes were encouraging more Queenslanders to be water wise in and around the home.
He said the new rebate was also an added boost for the nursery and gardening industry.
"Householders are not the only group trying to get through the worst drought on record," Mr Wallace said.
"Industry too is facing tough times and an added benefit of the new scheme is it will help support the nursery and gardening industry," he said.
The owners of the following residential properties are eligible to apply for the new Garden WaterWise rebates:
• houses;
• duplexes;
• units, apartments, flats;
• townhouses;
• boarding houses;
• retirement village villas;
• relocatable homes in retirement or tourist complexes; Department of Housing properties.
Other WaterWise initiatives include:
• Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme - which provides rebates for household
water-saving devices such as water tanks and dual-flush toilet suites;
• Lifestyle WaterWise Program - which gives funding for not-for-profit organisations to maintain parks and sporting fields;
• Home WaterWise Service - where licensed plumbers visit householders at a subsidised cost to provide advice about saving water.
To claim the garden rebate, applicants must provide an original receipt showing the type of product purchased (for example soil, mulch or type of plant), a completed and signed application form, and proof of residency (such as a current rates notice,telephone, electricity or gas bill, tenancy agreement).
More information on the Home Garden WaterWise Rebate Scheme is available by calling the Queensland Government Hotline on 1800 243 585 or visiting the department's website at http://www.nrw.qld.gov.au/water/saverscheme/index.html or
emailing the homewaterwiserebatescheme@nrw.qld.gov.au Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 9:37 AM
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